Weather Blog: Record snow and still cold

Thank you for stopping by the Weather Watch 12 Blog! A late season winter storm dumped record amounts of snow across parts of the Midwest this past weekend. Southeast Wisconsin missed most of the snow, but will not escape the cold early this week. In today's blog we discuss the big snows and look ahead to quieter days and another storm system.

Let's start with the huge snow totals, especially by late March standards to the south of Wisconsin. St. Louis recorded it's biggest March snow ever measuring just over a foot. Springfield, IL smashed the March 24 daily snow record(2.4") by over 16"! Here are the snow totals from a few Midwest cities.

Springfield, IL 18.5"

St. Louis 12.4"

Kansas City, MO 5.4"

The snow depth map below for March 25 is incredible. Measurable snow is on the ground across almost the entire Midwest just a week from the start of April!

Outside of some spotty snow showers or flurries most of the accumulating snow is exiting the Midwest. In southeast Wisconsin, the focus early this week is on wind and cold. Gusty north winds will prevail into Tuesday keeping wind chills or feels like temperatures in the teens and 20s.

Actual highs will remain in the 30s through Tuesday or Wednesday. The WPC surface forecast map valid at 7pm Tuesday is shown below. The blue 'H' represents high pressure, as this drifts over Wisconsin on Wednesday and Thursday expect lighter winds and slowly moderating temperatures. If we touch 40 degrees on Wednesday or Thursday it would only be the second time so far this month in Milwaukee!

The area of high pressure will also deliver some much needed sunshine. A couple of nice days of tap later this week.

Looking ahead...one of the wetter parts of the cycling weather pattern is looming. A chance of rain or snow will enter the forecast this coming weekend. Then a larger storm system is possible in the Midwest around April 3-5. This system should push in some milder temperatures ahead of the surface low, before another push of cold air arrives on the backside. Rain looks most likely with a potential mix or change to snow as the cold air arrives.

Below is the GFS computer model forecast. Keep in mind this is over a week out and the exact timing and position of the low will change as we near next week. The main thing to take away is this fits the pattern and the first week of April may bring a 'wet' system to the Midwest.

For the latest weather information watch WISN 12 News, and for updates throughout the day follow me on Twitter @jnelsonweather

Have a great day!

Jeremy Nelson

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